Five years ago this week, I gave a TEDx talk, titled “Inequity, Injustice…Infection,” and last night I rewatched it. I wanted to see how it had aged—kind of hoping that it would feel outdated. Sadly, it hasn’t aged. If anything, I wish I could give another talk, a part two that would be called “The Reckoning.” Last year, while locked …
TODAY’S EPISODE: Taking it personally…racism, that is Personal racism is not the problem. To be clear: It is a problem. A big one. Also, it is a huge contributing factor to the bigger problem, which is systemic racism, institutional bias, and the other big-picture items that adversely affect Black people, Indigenous people, and other non-white people. But personal racism, as …
It’s not the job of Black, Indigenous, and other people of color to teach white people how to undo racism. When a person of color is forced to endure racism directed at them personally, too often they are expected not only to not defend themselves but to also help the perpetrator learn and do better. I’ve written about the unreasonable …
I hate the “education” argument. You know, the one that says people would act right if they only knew better. I hate that shit. It’s just so arrogant. And ignorant. You wanna know why? Because what is “better” anyway? “Better” than what? Than whom? Our culture is based on identity not facts, and so is our education. This is true …
When I made the decision at the beginning of the year to run for a seat on the Portland, Maine, Charter Commission, I knew that my work as the director of an anti-racism organization—along with being the creator of this site—might be an issue for some. It was the reason why, during the campaign, I didn’t talk about racial issues …
These days it seems like every time I turn around someone is saying something diametrically opposed to reality. Voices yelling revisionist history and anti-science are suddenly louder than ever. It feels like that, anyway. Of course, it’s not actually like that at all. From history to science and everything in between, Americans have never acknowledged reality. In fact, the country’s …
We continue to find ourselves living in extraordinary times as we juggle the ongoing dual realities of both COVID-19 and economic disruptions, and I was hoping to avoid writing this post. Typically toward the end of the year, I put out a reminder or two that this site—and our related social media work—all run on direct financial reader support. We …
I am a white woman trying to heal the harms white supremacy has caused in my life so I might be a part of changing our racialized capitalist/white supremacist systems; I’m doing my imperfect best to work with other white people in our healing so we can be authentic partners with all humanity on the path toward collective liberation. My …
All too often the people in charge refuse to admit fault, running as far and fast from responsibility as possible. We all know that; we’ve seen it a million times. It’s to be expected and we expect it. But then there’s the trick. We fall for it every time. Instead of holding themselves accountable or doing anything close to the …
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Happy Friday! It’s a gorgeous day up in my corner of the world and way too beautiful to be writing a blog post today. So I present you with the Friday Round-Up a list of blog posts this week from other bloggers that blew my mind. Perhaps if you need to kill some time or have a quiet moment you can check them out. http://ravingblacklunatic.blogspot.com/ Check out this cat, I have been a fan of his work forever. http://www.whataboutourdaughters.com/ Good stuff here as well http://sweetersalt.com/ A Maine blogger who talks fashion and food…the best of both worlds http://paganchild-starmommy.blogspot.com/2011/03/keeping-focused.html A new blog that offers words of wisdom for all of us. http://mscleaver.com/ Another Mainer who for Lent is giving up pants, she is also a crafty gal If you have any links to good blogs, feel free to leave em. It’s my hope to make the Friday Round Up a regular feature at my new home specifically I would live to shine some light and love on smaller bloggers. It’s hard out here in this blogosphere with so many good blogs to choose from and so little time so let’s help everyone get a slice of the pie. I will be back on Monday, at that time I will unveil some ideas I have around monetizing things but You May Also Like: No related posts.
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COVID and racism have a bit in common
Last year 9/11-related illness was the fourth-leading cause of death for police in the line of duty nationwide. It killed 14 police officers. The third-leading cause of death for on-duty police was automobile crashes, killing 19. The second leading cause of death for on-duty officers was gunfire, with 45 dead. There’s a pretty wide chasm between 19 deaths and 45 …
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